A Moscow military court found a Russian playwright and a theater director guilty of “justifying terrorism”.
Director Yevgenia Berkovich and playwright Svetlana Petrichuk were each sentenced to six years in prison for producing the drama “The Brave Falcon Terminator.”
The show, loosely based on true events, tells the story of a Russian woman who travels to Syria to marry a member of the Islamic State group during the country’s civil war.
Defense lawyers for the two women vowed to appeal the verdict.
The trial, which was held partly behind closed doors, heightened concerns among members of Russia’s arts community about free speech.
In addition to being jailed, the two women will be banned from “administering websites” for three years after their release.
According to the Russian Royal Broadcasting Corporation, they have been detained since May 2023 and will now be sent to a penal colony to serve their sentence.
Prosecutors said the women formed a positive view of the Islamic State, with prosecutor Ekaterina Denisova arguing the show contained “signs of legitimation of terrorism,” RBC reported.
When the trial began in late May, Berkovich, 39, and Petrichuk, 44, said they staged the play because they opposed terrorism.
Berkovich said the performance was to “prevent terrorism,” adding that she had “nothing but condemnation and disgust” for terrorists.
RBC quoted Berkovich as saying: “I have absolutely no idea what these terms have to do with me… I have never shared any form of Islam, radical or otherwise.”
Throughout the trial, she and Petrichuk maintained their innocence.
Speaking after the women were sentenced, defense lawyer Ksenia Karpinskaya called the hearing “absolutely illegal” and “unfair” and promised that despite “little hope” Will still appeal.
“I want you to know these girls are absolutely innocent,” the lawyer added.
Berkovic’s supporters said her prosecution was related to a series of poems she wrote criticizing Russia’s military offensive in Ukraine.
The Russian art scene has faced increasing pressure from the Kremlin since the 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Several prominent Russian artists, writers and journalists have come out in support of the women, including newspaper editor Dmitry Muratov and actress Yulia Peresild.
The play was revived in 2020 and won two Golden Mask Theater Awards for Best Screenplay and Best Costumes.
Russia has suffered deadly attacks by Islamist militants in both locations in recent months. Moscow and Dagestan. The Kremlin made unconfirmed suggestions that Ukraine was involved in both incidents.
